Looking for a dinner recipe that'll make everyone at the table ask for seconds? This Cranberry Orange Chicken is your answer! It combines juicy chicken with a sweet and tangy glaze made from fresh cranberries and bright orange juice. Whether you're planning a holiday entree or just want to shake up your weeknight dinner routine, this Cranberry Orange Chicken delivers big flavors without the fuss. The best part? You'll have this beautiful dish ready in about 45 minutes, and it pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables or fluffy rice.
I've been making Cranberry Orange Chicken for years, and it never fails to impress. The way the citrus marinade caramelizes on the chicken while the cranberry sauce bubbles into a gorgeous glaze is pure magic. Trust me, once you try this orange cranberry chicken, it'll become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Why This Festive Chicken Recipe Works Every Time
This cranberry and orange chicken stands out because it hits all the right notes; sweet, tangy, savory, and just a touch of richness. The combination isn't just delicious, it's also incredibly versatile. You can use chicken breast for a leaner option or chicken thighs for extra juiciness. The orange glaze creates a beautiful shine that makes this dish look like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen.
What makes this Cranberry Orange Chicken truly special is how the flavors develop. As the chicken bakes, the cranberry sauce reduces into a thick, glossy coating while the orange zest adds bright, aromatic notes. The result is a dish that tastes complex but comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have. It's fancy enough for holiday gatherings but easy enough for a regular Tuesday night. Plus, this recipe works beautifully in the oven or even in a slow cooker if you want to set it and forget it!
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Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Chicken thighs or breasts
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic, minced
- Dried thyme or rosemary
For the Cranberry Orange Glaze:
- Fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- Orange juice
- Orange zest
- Honey
- Butter
- Onion, finely diced
- Ground ginger (optional)
Substitutions:
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Dried cranberries
- Tangerine or clementine juice
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Chicken and Preheat
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; this helps achieve better browning.
- Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, thyme, and minced garlic.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the glaze.
- Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
Step 2: Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the butter.
- Once melted, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Pour in the orange juice, add the cranberries, orange zest, honey, and ginger.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Use the back of a spoon to gently mash some cranberries for a chunkier texture.
Step 3: Sear and Coat the Chicken
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the chicken skin-side down (if using skin-on) and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken and sear the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and pour half of the cranberry orange glaze over the chicken pieces.
- Use a brush or spoon to coat each piece evenly.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or transfer chicken to your prepared baking dish).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes for bone-in chicken thighs, or 20-25 minutes for boneless breasts.
- Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- During the last 10 minutes, brush on more glaze for extra flavor and shine.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Drizzle with remaining cranberry orange sauce and garnish with fresh thyme or orange slices.
Expert Cooking Tips
Nail this Cranberry Orange Chicken with a few simple tricks:
- Rest It: A short rest keeps it juicy and flavorful.
- Bring to Room Temp: Let chicken sit out before cooking for even doneness.
- Sear First: A hot pan = golden crust and locked-in juices.
- Perfect Sauce: Thick enough to coat a spoon, thin enough to flow. Adjust with orange juice or extra simmer time.
- Layer the Glaze: Brush on in stages for rich flavor and shine.
- Check Temp: 165°F for breasts, 170–175°F for thighs — no guesswork.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This Cranberry Orange Chicken is incredibly adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs. Here's how to customize it:
Slow Cooker Method:
Skip the searing step and place raw, seasoned chicken in your crockpot. Pour the prepared cranberry orange glaze over top and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. In the last 30 minutes, you can thicken the sauce by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then stirring it into the pot.
Spicy Version:
Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a tablespoon of sriracha to the glaze for a sweet-and-spicy kick. The heat pairs beautifully with the tangy citrus.
Keto-Friendly Option:
Replace the honey with a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or erythritol. Use 3-4 tablespoons to taste, as these sweeteners are more concentrated. Stick with chicken thighs for higher fat content.
Extra Citrus Variation:
Add lemon zest along with the orange, or substitute half the orange juice with grapefruit juice for a more complex citrus profile.
Herb-Crusted:
Before baking, press a mixture of chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and breadcrumbs onto the chicken for added texture and flavor.
Different Proteins:
This glaze works wonderfully on pork chops, turkey breast, or even salmon fillets. Adjust baking times accordingly; pork needs 145°F internal temp, and salmon needs 12-15 minutes at 400°F.
Equipment Recommendations
- Large Oven-Safe Skillet: A cast-iron skillet is perfect for this Cranberry Orange Chicken because it goes from stovetop to oven seamlessly and retains heat beautifully. If you don't have one, a regular skillet plus a baking dish works fine.
- Meat Thermometer: An instant-read thermometer is essential for perfect chicken every time. Digital ones are affordable and take the guesswork out of cooking poultry.
- Medium Saucepan: Needed for making the cranberry sauce. A 2-3 quart size with a heavy bottom prevents burning.
- Basting Brush: Silicone brushes are heat-resistant and easy to clean, perfect for applying that gorgeous glaze in layers.
- Sharp Chef's Knife: For mincing garlic, dicing onions, and zesting oranges cleanly.
- Zester or Microplane: Gets that bright orange zest without the bitter white pith. A box grater works in a pinch, just use the finest side.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
This Cranberry Orange Chicken stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying leftovers throughout the week.
Refrigerator Storage
Store cooked chicken in an airtight container with the extra sauce spooned over top to keep it moist. It'll stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge. When reheating, add a splash of water or orange juice to the pan to refresh the glaze. Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, or reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes.
Freezer Storage
This dish freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Let the chicken cool completely, then place it in freezer-safe containers or bags with the sauce. Freeze flat for easier storage. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture stays great, though the sauce may separate slightly; just stir it back together as it warms.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can prepare the cranberry orange sauce up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Season the chicken the night before for deeper flavor. For full meal prep, you can even sear the chicken ahead; just finish baking when you're ready to eat. The glaze also doubles or triples easily if you're cooking for a crowd.
The Secret to Restaurant-Quality Cranberry Orange Chicken
The real magic behind Cranberry Orange Chicken lies in the finishing touch. Once your Cranberry Orange Chicken reaches 165°F, switch the oven to broil and give it just 2–3 minutes under that intense heat. This step caramelizes the glaze, creating a beautifully crisp, lacquered surface that elevates the entire dish. It’s the difference between “good” and “wow.”
Here’s another insider move: toss in a handful of fresh cranberries and orange segments during the final 5 minutes of baking. They soften just enough to burst with juicy flavor while keeping their shape, making your Cranberry Orange Chicken not only delicious but gorgeous to look at.
These two simple tricks transform your Cranberry Orange Chicken from a cozy homemade dinner into something that looks and tastes like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen.
FAQ
What does Panda Express use for their orange chicken?
Panda Express uses a sweet-and-sour sauce with sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and orange flavoring. This Cranberry Orange Chicken uses real orange juice and fresh cranberries for a more natural flavor, and it's baked instead of fried.
Are cranberry and orange juice good together?
Yes! Cranberry and orange are a classic pairing. The tartness of cranberries balances the sweetness of oranges perfectly. This Cranberry Orange Chicken showcases how well these flavors complement each other in savory dishes.
What is orange chicken sauce made of?
Orange chicken sauce typically contains orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe adds fresh cranberries and butter for a richer, more complex glaze with beautiful color.
Is orange chicken healthy or unhealthy?
It depends on preparation. Restaurant versions are deep-fried and sugar-heavy. This Cranberry Orange Chicken is healthier because it's baked, uses honey, and includes real fruit for natural sweetness and nutrients.
Ready to Make This Crowd-Pleaser?
This Cranberry Orange Chicken proves that impressive dinners don't have to be complicated. With just four main steps and ingredients you can find at any grocery store, you'll have a beautiful, flavorful meal that works for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday celebrations. The sweet and tangy cranberry orange glaze transforms simple chicken into something special, and the aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is absolutely mouthwatering.
Once you've mastered this recipe, try branching out to other flavor-packed chicken dishes like Cowboy Butter Chicken Recipe for rich, herb-infused goodness, or Chicken 65 Biryani Recipe if you're craving bold, spicy flavors. But I have a feeling this Cranberry Orange Chicken will earn its place as a regular favorite. The balance of flavors, the easy preparation, and those gorgeous colors make it a winner every single time!
Happy cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite! 🍊; Emily
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe:
Cranberry Orange Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Oven-safe skillet
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Basting brush
- 1 Meat thermometer
- 1 Chef’s knife
- 1 Zester or microplane
Ingredients
- 4–6 pieces chicken thighs or breasts about 2 pounds
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
- 1 cup fresh cranberries or frozen
- ¾ cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 orange zest zest of 1 orange
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger optional
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Let rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- In a saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in a bit of oil or butter. Add cranberries, orange juice, zest, honey, thyme, and ginger. Simmer until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
- In an oven-safe skillet, sear chicken in olive oil on both sides until golden brown.
- Pour glaze over chicken, transfer skillet to oven, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, basting halfway through.
- Remove from oven and rest for 10 minutes. Serve warm with extra glaze spooned over top.
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